Iranian Christians charged with apostasy

Twelve Christians in Iran have been tried for apostasy of Islam and now await the verdict.

Twelve Christians stood trial Easter Sunday in Iran, where they were called “apostates” in a courtroom and tried on multiple charges, according to sources close to Iran’s Christian community.   

The Christians had been acquitted on the same charges, including “crimes against the order,” a year ago in Bandar Anzali, a city on the Caspian Sea. The group was first arrested when authorities found them drinking wine while taking communion, according to sources. 

“It ultimately illustrates that being a Christian is illegal in Iran. No matter how clear or how open a pastor and a church may be, Christians are being brought to trial just for being Christian,” said Jason DeMars, director of the Present Truth Ministries advocacy group who is in daily contact with the Evangelical Christian community in Iran.
No verdict has yet been issued in the case [more].

Iranian officials destroy church and cemetery

In the Iranian province of Kerman, government officials have destroyed a Christian church and a 200-year old cemetery.

The news service of a cultural heritage organization quoted Mohammad Mehdi Afzali, head of public relations in the Cultural Heritage organization of Kerman as saying, "Destruction of this cemetery was conducted as part of a project by the municipality and Cultural Heritage organization, to release lands around Ghal'e-Dokhtar and Ghal'e Ardeshir". 

"After the reports and photos of this destruction were published by news services, a team of experts of the Cultural Heritage office of Kerman was sent out to the cemetery to prepare an expert report" he added. 

Of course, Mr. Afzali denied this report in an interview with the pro-regime news service, IRNA on Wednesday [more]!

Iranian pastor faces death for refusing to renounce Christianity

Yousef Nadarkhani, a Protestant pastor of the Church of Iran, was arrested 2009 and charged with the crime of apostasy, of rejecting the Islamic faith, and convicted of the charge in September 2010.  He was sentenced to death.

On December 30, 2011, Nadarkhani refused to reject his Christian faith for the third time and so be released from his sentence, reports Christian Solidarity Worldwide.